Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to determine possible compositional trends in contemporary American operas based on Southern librettos, through an analysis of three operas: Carlisle Floyd's Cold Sassy Tree (2000), based on the story by Olive Ann Burns; Lee Hoiby's Summer and Smoke (1971), based on the play by Tennessee Williams; and Marc Blitzstein's Regina (1954), based on Lillian Hellman's play The Little Foxes. These operas were specifically chosen because of their similarities in setting, including period and location. When possible, living composers were interviewed as primary sources. Emergent characteristics include extensive use of blues and folk styles, recreations of Southern musical forms, and text setting that mimics characteristics of the Southern accent. All three operas utilize wide vocal range, languid tempo, and rounded vocal lines in their characterization of female Southern charm. Depictions of race and class also influence compositional choices, in that rural and lower class characters are often assigned folk styles, while upper class characters are more often represented with European musical traits. This analysis provides a basis for identifying recurrent themes in the Southern opera genre.